Nick Meet Garth

Garth sat, illuminated by the glow from his computer in the otherwise dark apartment. He could hear the sounds of the city, but he only noticed it if he chose to pay attention. He shifted in his seat trying to ease the pain of staying in the same position for nearly 12 hours without getting up.

“Yes.” Garth grinned shifting back to his original position. “I found you.”

***

Nicolas subtly gestured towards his most trusted companion, his favored lover, Archibald. The younger vampire slid into the booth beside him, the two of them looking to the rest as if they were moments away from sneaking out for a private moment.

“Do you know who that is?” Nick tipped his head as if to give the other vampire more room near his neck, while gesturing to the young vampire on the dance floor. “I dont recognize him. He’s here every Friday. For the past 3 months. He watches me.”

“I don’t.” Archie cuddled closer to better watch the other. “Is he one of his?”

“Find out.” Nick answered.

***

Garth grit his now flat teeth while chasing the red tinting contact around his eye. The fake vampire teeth soaked in the cup against the back of the sink. When the offending hydrogel was out his eye sighed with relief. He tipped his head back to drop the moisturizing drops in.

“Is it worth it?” He asked his reflection. The answer was immediate. Yes. Garth had become another orphan lost in the system after his parents’ death. He had been driven to find out all he could about his family. He wanted a family again. Finding out his great-to-the-nth-degree grandfather was still(arguably) alive, though apparently wanting nothing to do with the descendants from his marriage as a human, hadn’t been something he could have ever hoped for.

If the only way he could have that connection was to watch him, disguised as another vampire, from across the club, the Garth would take it.

Maybe next week I’ll work up the courage to talk to him. Garth thought as he started stripping for his shower. A knocking at the door had Garth rolling his eyes. Ms. Nelson next door always seemed to know just when he was getting in the shower and would answer the door in only his boxers. At least he always got a plate of cookies out of it. He grabbed the plate from last time, washed because he was civilized and did do more than stare at a computer screen, then opened the door.

It was not Mrs. Nelson.

Garth paled, recognizing the vampire as one of his great-how-ever-many-times grandfather’s lovers.

“Human?” Archie tipped his head surprised. “Huh. Didn’t see that coming.”

“Balls.” Garth cursed.

***

Garth was thankful he had been allowed to dress, but his baggy jeans, tshirt, and too big pull over hoodie, made him feel out of place in the stuffy study.

“Who the hell even has a study anymore?” Garth asked the, presumedly, empty room.

“I do.” Nick answered walking in.

Garth shrunk himself into the winged back chair that he had spent a significant amount of time cursing because it lacked any comfort. Nick sat behind his desk folding his hands in front of his mouth and elbows on his desk. Garth swallowed. Dracula’s first general. Never lost a battle. Unshakeable. The descriptions of the vampire flitted through Garth’s mind and for the first time, staring into the emotionless red eyes, he believed them.

“That was very risky. Coming into our club as you did.” Nick’s voice gave nothing away.

“What is your name?”

“Garth.” Garth didn’t even consider lying. He knew it wouldn’t end well for himself.

“I’m going to give you a choice. You may have your memory wiped and continue your life as it was before. Or, I can turn you.”

“Why?” Garth asked then flinched. He shouldn’t be asking questions. He should be accepting. He didn’t need anyone messing around his head. What if his cheat codes got wiped too?

Nick seemed to approve of the question though, if the slight curl to the corner of his mouth was any indication. “Spending so much time undetected as a sheep among wolves…that takes guts and no small amount of skill. There is a war coming that I could use both for.”

“I won’t be disposed of when I’m no longer useful will I?” Garth asked.

“Once you’ve worn out your usefulness you’ll be free to stay as part of my coven or join another.” Nick answered.

“Deal.” Garth stuck out his hand